Kildare planning official dismissed

Kildare planning official dismissed
Frank McDonald, Environment Editor

Kildare County Council has dismissed one of its officials after a lengthy internal investigation of planning irregularities. The local authority has also referred the case to the Garda.

The official, who has not been publicly identified, had been suspended on full pay since last December pending the outcome of the investigation, which focused on the alleged forgery of a planning permission.

In a brief statement the council said it had “concluded an investigation into planning irregularities and has taken disciplinary action” against the official involved. “The council has also referred the matter to An Garda Síochána,” it went on.

Charlie Talbot, the Kildare county secretary, confirmed yesterday that the official had been dismissed. Asked to elaborate, he said the council was “not disclosing its findings because it would not be appropriate to do so at present time”.

The planning permission examined during the course of the investigation concerned a one-off house near Rathangan, for which An Bord Pleanála refused approval in February 2003, even though it had been passed by the council. The appeals board said it was “not satisfied” effluent from its septic tank could be drained “without giving rise to an unacceptable risk of water pollution and to public health”, given the high water table in the area.

A second appeal, made by the same local objector, after the county council again decided to grant planning permission for the house, was not adjudicated on by the board because the couple involved in building the house withdrew their application for planning permission.

Subsequently, the objector sought a High Court judicial review after construction of the house got under way on discovering a decision to approve the proposed development for a third time in May 2004.

On foot of this legal challenge, according to one source, the council launched an internal investigation into the alleged forgery and then suspended the official pending completion of its inquiries.

The Irish Times is aware of the identities of the official suspended, the applicants and the objector, but none can be named for legal reasons. The location of the house, now completed, is also known.

It is understood the investigation was under way for some time before the official was suspended.

It is also believed other cases were examined to establish whether similar inconsistencies were involved.

According to unofficial sources, the security of the council’s computer system was so low, an official could scan documents in that would appear to be genuine – including forged planners’ reports and managers’ orders.